Sub Begs For Forgiveness

Grumpy

We are doing a multi building project, about 80 roofing squares per building. We are so busy we had to hire a sub to do this project for us. We've used this sub a few times in the past and they do decent work. Not great but very fast and usually good enough.

We were supposed to start building 4 on Monday. I assumed we wouldn't be out until Tuesday because it was the holiday and I know his guys are drinkers. Here it is wednesday and his guys still aren't out even though he has told me they would be there repeatedly.

I told him I was going to replace him because his guys wern't out today like he promised or yesterday either. Wow! He acted like he was doing us a favor and I was in his debt until I said that. The whole attitude did a 180.

I think I am a fair an nice guy, I even think I let our subs have a little bit too much slack on some of our jobs... but 3 days of no shows? I don't tolerate scheduling blunders or unsafe or unclean jobsites.

I don't think I was out of line, do you?

Teetorbilt

Day 2 would have done it for me, and then HE cops an attitude?
There are good guys out there looking for work, go find one.
Does drinking and roofing mix? Sounds like a poor combo to me. I can assure that I would never get on a roof impaired.
Were you out of line? :Thumbs: :Thumbs:

boardslinger

You did the right thing Grumpy. I would have pitched him after 2. And had someone else in their before midday. You were in the right and VERY leanent. In my opinion.

__________________
Bang it, Slam it, Screw it, Aaaaaaah Sheetrock.

Grumpy

He's always had the attitude, from day one until today. No No No I'd never tolerate a drunk roofer. I was implying they would be hung over. Hehe Teetor I dunno if you misread or I mistyped

Teetorbilt

Grumpy, If you noticed I said 'impaired'. In my terminology that would include hungover or still being drunk from the night before.
I often use LaborFinders for grunt work like digging footers and I listen. Many of these people brag about how much they had to drink the night before. One said that he had drunk a 18 pack and had to go back to store for another 12 pack. Impaired? Yea! Where he was working he had 18 fewer inches before he hit the ground. LaborFinders also covers it if he dies on the job, his relatives will use the money to buy more booze.

Grumpy

Ahh then the problem beaing the definition. I consider impared being drunk, but not hung over; but I can see your point.

Ron in So. Md.

drunk, hungover, tired all mean the same here "unproductive" and I give the day off to them all the time and tell them in thirty you get two off and you are gone. But with subs it's almost all the time that I have to deal with problems as I feel that I'm there baby sitter. I thought it was me for the longest time but I guess we all have problems but ussually I leave enough room in the contract for dead days. so 95 % of the time if they are on the site they are on payroll. Sorry Subs perform better, maybe next time !

Grumpy

An update on the sub status is that I am allowing him to finish this last roof but am setting up one of my crews on the remaining buildings even though it's going to push back my schedule for residential work.

The nail in the coffin was the punch list the association sent me today. Just minor stuff that can be easily corrected, but each item on the list was something I mentioned to him previously and never got fixed.

Teetorbilt

Tell him goodbye, Grumpy, before he ruins your rep.

Grumpy

Yup this is it. He finishes his last building today.

Glasshousebltr

Grump I told ya I would take a trip up there and do a few roofs.

Bob

Grumpy

Glass if your serious e-mail me and I'll reply with my phone number. Perhaps we can work something out.